“Even though he’s a bi–h, Chandler all day go heavy on the money.” Dustin Poirier said last week with his signature touch of animosity stemming from the duo’s UFC 281 clash while still backing the bombastic 155fer against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. The upcoming Miami pay-per-view isn’t just about the vacant featherweight title showdown between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes—it’s also home to one of the most anticipated generational clashes in recent memory: Chandler vs. Pimblett!
With the fight world split down the middle, fans are torn. Some favor the Englishman for his youth and undefeated UFC record, while others lean toward Chandler, valuing his battle-tested experience. And when you break it down, ‘Iron’ certainly has the edge in that department. A former Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler has been through the fire, facing some of the sport’s toughest competitors. Now, the question is whether that experience will be enough to stop Pimblett’s meteoric rise.
However, not everyone shares this perspective. Javier Mendez backed the Liverpool native while emphasizing, “You can’t count Paddy out based on what he’s done.” The AKA head honcho relied on Pimblett’s previous outings to support his argument. Similarly, # 9 155fer ranked contender Beneil Dariush recently echoed this sentiment. While speaking to Submission Radio, Dariush backed Paddy Pimblett—not because of his age, but because of his hunger to succeed. He explained:
“I think it’s motivation. I think age actually has nothing to do with it—it’s more about motivation. Paddy wants to be champion, he’s training his butt off all the time, and he has that desire. You know, if you look at Michael Chandler’s last fight, it looked like he’s never wrestled before. This guy was, I believe, an All-American, right? He knows how to wrestle, yet he got taken down every single round by Charles Oliveira.”
December 10, 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States: LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 10: Paddy Pimblett prepares to fight Jared Gordon in their Lightweight fight during the UFC 282 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Las Vegas, Nevada United States
Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, has quickly risen through the ranks of the UFC lightweight division. While his competition hasn’t yet included many top-tier names, his impressive victories over Bobby Green, Tony Ferguson, and Jared Gordon have solidified his reputation as a future contender for the promotion.
On the other hand, Chandler is fresh off his loss against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Moreover, constant setbacks have jeopardized his position in the lightweight division. ‘The Baddy’ isn’t just focused on defeating Chandler—he’s aiming to take away Chandler’s coveted “Red Pa–y Night.” Let’s examine how this showdown could unfold!
Paddy Pimblett willing to face Conor McGregor after defeating Michael Chandler
Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to fight Conor McGregor? A showdown with him almost guarantees breaking live gate and PPV records. Regardless of whether a fighter is a fan of McGregor or not, the opportunity to face him is too lucrative to pass up. Michael Chandler, who has been waiting nearly two years for his shot, is no exception. Initially, the Missouri native claimed he had moved on from McGregor, but in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he reiterated his desire, saying, “His road back to the UFC goes through me.”
While Dana White has suggested Conor McGregor’s return might be in “fall 2025,” the exact timeline remains unclear. What Chandler may not realize, however, is that Paddy Pimblett is using him as a stepping stone toward even bigger opportunities—like facing the Irishman himself.
In a recent interview with Round Eight Boxing, Pimblett shared his thoughts about potentially facing McGregor after UFC 314. He said, “Sounds very tasty. A lot of people have said this to me already: ‘Beat Chandler, take the McGregor fight.’ Obviously, he’s the biggest star in the sport. He’s the biggest pay-per-view star. I’ll fight him in a main event, and we’ll get pay-per-view points.”
How do you feel about Paddy Pimblett vs. Michael Chandler? Do you think ‘The Baddy’ can handle the pressure and live up to the hype from his supporters? Is he ready to face Chandler, his toughest challenge to date? Share your thoughts below!
The post “Like He’s Never Wrestled Before” – Michael Chandler Faces Rejection As Paddy Pimblett Gets UFC Vet’s Unexpected Backing for UFC 314 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
